The Osceola times., 1887-03-19
THE BEEcHeR oBsEQUIEs.


of the Dead and ;he Tears OF the Congre-
gation-Other Services
BRoogLrS, March ia more propitious
day could not have been than that which
dawned upon Brooklyn to-day. The morn
ing broke with clear sky and bright
sun. II was to be general holiday Tor
Brooklyn; she was TO formally dispose OF
her greatest citizen, Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher. The remains Of the great
preacher Of Plymouth Church lay in state
throughout the night before the pulpit he
had occupied so long, and from which his
eloquence and wisdom had poured to the
multitudes that have assembled in the
famous church. The silent tread OF the
guard of honor ard the tramping OF the
patrol outside were the only sounds that
had disturbed the death-like silence about
the church.
Soon after daybreak, however, the
people Of Brooklyn we're busy with the
decoration of their houses and places OF
business. Flags were placed athalf-mast
on all the public buildings, and nearly all
business houses throughout the city. AT
the request Of Mayor Whitney, the prnci-
pal business places were closed from half.
past ten o'clock until the close Of the serv-
ices at Plymouth Church.
Long before the hour appointed for the
opening Of the doors OF the church
large crowd had gathered about the Or
ange street entrance. None were admit
ted but those having tickets. At precise
ly half past nine o'clock the doors were
thrown open and two policemen sta.
toned at either side. In a little more than
half an hour all the SEATS were taken ex-
cept those reserved for the clergy and in
vited guests.
The decorations about the pulpit had
been largely added to, until IL was literal
ly covered with flowers, and presented
the appearance of gigantic hower-bed.
Not an inch OF Grape could be seen in any
part of the church.
The first eight pews to the right OF the
pulpit were occupied by forty clergy men
OF this city and New York, all fervent ad-
mirers Of the dead pastor.
Shortly after ten O'Clock Rev. DIR. Nc
| Glynn, of New York, was ushcred to a
seat directly behind the Protestant clergy
men, and almost AT the same time Pres-
dent OLeary Of the Brooklyn Board Of
Aldermen, came came in, escorting
Lie tenant Governor Jones, Speaker
Hustled and members of the legislative
committee. Henry George and his son fol-
lowed, and were given seats next to Lieu
tenant-Govcrnor Jones. United States
| Senator William M. Evarts was then seat
ed Immediately behind Mr.. George When
all the seats which had been res crved for
invitel guests had been filed. Colonel
| Falkner Of the Thirteenth regiment and
staff were seated in I he middle aisle. At
the left of the pulpit three pews were re-
| served for the family. They were occu
pied by tho two brothers Of the deceased,
Rev. Edward and Charles and q number
Of moro distant relatives. Mrs. Bcechcr
was not present.
just as services were about 10 begin, a
shaft Of sunlight falling on pillow Of
flowers on the pulpit bearing the words,
"The friend and champion OF the slave"
made a beautiful picture
Promptly at half-past ten o'clock DR..
Hall, vested with supplies and stole,
slowly ascendei TO tho platform, accom-
panied by DR.. Halliday, and the two took
their places in the pulpit DR.. Hall at
once began with the opening sentences OF
| the Episcopal burial service. With fal.
tcring voice he repeated the ever beauti
full words,
81 AN THE RESURRECTION AND TIE LIFE." "
When these We're finished the choir, near.
| ly hidden behind bank OF Gala lilies sang
the burial chant, "Lord Let Ne Know
Mine End" Then Dr. Hall who had
turned from the people TO hide his tears
| during the singing OF the chant read the
lesson taken from the fifteenth chapter of
First Corinthians, followed by the anthem,
BLESSED Are tho Departed Who Die in
the Lord" This WAS rendered in a beau
tiful manner, the quartette being supple.
mented by "A large chorus.
Throughout the church people were Wis.
IDLY affected, and there were few dry eyes
in the vast audience.
| When the anthem was concluded DR..
Hall stepped forward to the read ng 4 esk
| and read his address from manuscript
| He several times interrupted him self by
| his emotion, and the tears Of the colgre-
cation fell fast as the preacher spoke low
ingy and trustingly Of their departed
pastor.
| When Dr. Halls address was finished q
perfect burst Of pcnt-up emotion succeed
ed, and nearly every one in the church
wept.
| Dr. Halliday followed with prayer, and
The choir sang Jesus, Lover of Nv Soul
after which tho anthem, II Heard a
Voice." which was composed for this oc.
casion, was given. Following this was
the hymn, Love Divine"
| After the bcnediction the reces sional
hymn, "Hark Hark NV Soul" was sung,
and the vast congregation departed from
the church, leaving the remains Of their
pastor under guard of Plymouth Com.
pany, who will constitute the watch until
the body is taken to Greenwood to-mor-
| row morning.
When the congregation had disper sed,
the doors were thrown open to the public
to view the remains
| At the First Baptist Church Rev. T. DE
Witt Talmage made the principal address
He said
| ltis beautiful thing in human nature, the
disposition to speak well OF the dead. 1t is a
| mean thing in human nature that we are apt 10
| postpone until after their decease the praises
that were due TO the living Post norton eulo.
| gies are often an attempt TO make atoncment
for ante mortem injustice. There will be two
ears that to-day will not hear one word OF ap-
| probation and there will be two eyes that will
| not reach one word OF complimentary journal
sm-the ears, the eyes OF the mighty man for
| whose obseques we are convoked
| We commit his immortal spirit to the bosom
| OF q living God, but how much we shall miss
| our friend Great charities will present them
selves upon our platforms, but his voice will not
be heard TO plead for them. The times OF Ma
| tional crisis will cone, but he will not be here
to champion the right. The great conflict O.
tween the forces OF God and the forces OF sin
| seems gathering frr an Arm. ;eddon, but his
battle axe will not slcam in the fight"
Concluding, DIR. Talmago paid glowing
| tribute 10 the dead pastor
| Short Work.
| OMAHA, Neb., March ll-John p. Glow